[UPDATED] Zii Jia, Jin Wei get two-year ban from BAM

KUALA LUMPUR – Lee Zii Jia has been banned for two years from January 18 and will not be allowed to participate in any international tournaments during this period. However, he will be allowed to appeal his two-year suspension.

The shocking announcement was made by Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) deputy president Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos today at the Malaysian Badminton Academy in Bukit Kiara Sports Complex.

“In recognition of his talents, which we had nurtured for the past 11 years, BAM had offered substantial incentives that included monetary benefits. However, Lee Zii Jia refused the offer.

“This is not a punishment. Instead, we are merely following the procedures that have been set in place.

“This means that we will not register Zii Jia for any tournaments that BAM is required to register for in the next two years.

“However, Zii Jia has the next few months to decide whether to appeal against this ban,” said Jahaberdeen.

When asked if Zii Jia was aware of the two-year ban before turning in his resignation letter, Jahaberdeen said that Zii Jia was only informed about the ban today.

He also said that BAM is looking at potential replacements for the 2021 All England Open Badminton champion.

Also present at the press conference was BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh, who said “we had informed Zii Jia to rescind his resignation letter.

“And as Zii Jia is originally from Kedah, we have also informed the Kedah Badminton Association. This is the process that we have to take.

“We are an organisation. So, we have to follow the process that has been set in place,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Steven Sim tweeted his dissatisfaction about this matter.

“The decision is too drastic and is made without any justifiable reason.

“Is this action a warning for players to ‘obey orders’? We should instead find peaceful solutions to prevent players from leaving BAM in the future.

“The spirit of sport is reconciliation, not oppression,” he said.

When asked whether Zii Jia’s departure would set a bad example for other players whose attachment with BAM might end when a lucrative offer comes along, Jahaberdeen retorted by questioning whether it is proper for sports to be commercialised.

“We have to find the right balance between national and personal interest.

“It is important to ensure that other players are not demotivated by this. Their entire mindset must be shifted.

“We have to review our players’ contracts, and make sure that their interests are taken care of without harming the national interest at the same time,” he said.

At the same time, former badminton legend Datuk James Selvaraj said, “it is sad that things had to be this way.

“I think it is not too late for all parties to sit down and settle this amicably. This should be done for the sake of the sport,” he said.

On another note, BAM also announced that female badminton player Goh Jin Wei would be banned for two years effective October 31, 2021.

Goh Jin Wei had declared her departure from BAM in September 2021 but has since joined the Kuala Lumpur Racket Club earlier this month. – The Vibes, January 21, 2022.

Additional reporting done by Julie Jalaluddin.